Innehållsförteckning för TAK2413 från Take 5

This week, we’ve been obsessed with Elaine’s story over the page, who pushed herself out of her comfort zone and went on a solo trip around Oz in her 60s. In the process, she learnt about herself, loved herself a bit more, and inspired others. What a legend! I’m so lucky I get to work with people who do brave things all the time, too, like those who moved across the world without knowing anyone, or others who’ve put themselves out there, speaking on podcasts. It’s only a small team, but three of them do theatre in their spare time, learning scripts and standing on stage in front of hundreds of people, and we’ve got a musician. We’d love to hear from you if you’ve conquered a fear, or put…

With doctor appointments more expensive than ever, and more GPs moving away from bulk billing, it’s important to get the most from your medical appointments – both for your health and your hip pocket. Here are some ways to ensure a successful visit with your doctor… BRING ALONG A LIST Before your medical appointment, write down all of the health concerns you’d like to discuss with your doctor, and make a list of any supplements or medications you’re taking. This will help make sure you don’t forget anything on the day. BOOK A LONGER APPOINTMENT IF NECESSARY Some visits (such as seeing a new doctor, Pap smears and complete check-ups) take longer, so make sure you allow time for that. Request a longer consult when you make your appointment if…

I arranged a date with my two men in a very unusual setting… Christina McClendon, 40. Rinsing off the last of the dishes, I heard the doorbell chime. “Who could that be at this time?” I said to my parents, puzzled. I opened the door and raised my eyebrows at the handsome young man in front of me. “Body? What are you doing here?” I asked. “I’m here to see you,” he said, smiling. It was 2008 and I’d known of Body, 30, for a while as we had mutual friends. I’d always had an inkling that he fancied me, and now I’d split from the father of my two boys and he was standing before me, I was seeing him in a different light. My cheeks flushed as I…

Mum made sacrifices so I could follow my dreams  Melanie Hawkins, 36, Melbourne, Vic. Standing in the doctor’s office with my mum, Elspeth, the GP knelt to examine my feet. “She’s pigeon-toed,” he explained to Mum. I was only three and unaware there was anything wrong with the direction of my feet. “She’ll have problems later in life,” he continued. “But enrolling her in ballet will help.” Mum and I lived in Adelaide and back in the early ‘90s we didn’t have much money. Ballet classes were expensive, but Mum would try anything to prevent her little girl from tripping over all the time. The classes were rigorous and learning to turn my feet out was painful, but I soon discovered that I loved to dance! My posture improved and…

When my ex plotted something evil, my Staffy came to the rescue Tracy Devonshire, 46. Leaving the corner shop, I slung my handbag over my shoulder and began making my way home. Just then, I stopped in my tracks. It had been 20 years since I’d seen Mukhtar Lail, but I would recognise the monster I called ‘Mac’ anywhere. We’d been together for seven years and he’d made my life hell. He was aggressive and controlling though I never reported the abuse. I didn’t feel I had a choice. Mac was a dealer and he forced me to shoplift to pay for the drugs I’d become dependent on him for. While I was now clean and sober, all the rage I felt for my wasted years came flooding back. Seeing…

Most of us tend to use phrases such as “look on the bright side” or “some people have it worse” whenever negative thoughts run through our head. However, while positivity is sold as a solution to our problems, a multi-national study conducted in 2022 found the constant pressure to feel good is linked to poorer wellbeing. Lecturer (Counselling) at the University of Queensland, Dr Kate Witteveen explains that while exercising gratitude in times of crisis is beneficial, it’s harmful to ignore negativity entirely. “If we rush to gratitude without acknowledging the difficulties, we are likely to fall into toxic positivity,” she says. “Negativity is not a bad thing when it facilitates a realistic evaluation of a situation.” Dr Witteveen says while it’s unhelpful to focus exclusively on the bad stuff,…

Save those foam peanuts you get in package deliveries and put them in the bottom of pots. They help plants drain well. Jill Morris, Blacktown, NSW. I taught my grandkids that the car doesn’t work until they do up their seatbelts! Meryl Pearson, Townsville, Qld. If you have a new puppy, mix up one part lemon juice with two parts water in a bottle then spray it on furniture to stop your dog from chewing sofas. Irene Kanatas, Campbelltown, NSW. Coconut oil is a great makeup remover. Amber Cohen, Maroochydore, Qld. To deter burglars while you’re on holiday, hang some washing outside. You could buy some affordable clothes from your local op shop to help you do this. Linda Furner, Wodonga, Vic. TAKE 5 ACCEPTS READERS’ TIPS IN GOOD…

My boy should have the same experiences as everyone else Aroha Chisnall, 44, Tapapa, NZ. I walked into the classroom. “Hey, I’m here to collect the forms for the school camp,” I said. The teacher frowned at me. “No,” she said. “Oxy can’t go to the camp.” I turned and looked at my son beside me. The hurt in his eyes broke my heart. “What are you talking about?” I said, my voice rising. I was so angry. Apparently, they were unable to provide a supervisor to be at camp to support Oxy. Oxy, 10, had been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and global development delay when he was six. At that time, he was at a school where he was bullied so I’d removed him. We moved to Palmerston North,…

TOP TIP You could also use pink Smarties in place of pink jelly beans, if preferred. TOP TIP You can use dark or white chocolate instead of milk chocolate, if you like. TOP TIP If you can’t find mini mallows, use normal marshmallows – simply cut them into quarters. TOP TIP Bark will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 weeks. PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES MOFFATT, ANDRÉ MARTIN, IAN HOFFSTETTER AND ROB SHAW. STYLING: KATE BROWN. FOOD PREPARATION: KERRIE WORNER.…

ARIES Mar 21–Apr 20 The first eclipse of the year will light up everything to do with relationships in your life. The way you think about any problem you’re experiencing will make a big difference to how things pan out. Do you want to change your life? ★ Change always begins with your own thoughts first. CANCER June 22–July 23 The juggling act between what you have to do and what you prefer to do, amps up this week. A Full Moon eclipse shines light into your Home Zone. There’s room opening up professionally, too. ★ Lean into as much support as you can get. LIBRA Sept 24–Oct 23 You’re in such a busy and boring cycle. However, a break in the weather is available this week. An eclipse…

My kidney stones were a baby! Maddiee McGaughay, 27, Adelaide, SA. Throwing the groceries onto the kitchen table, I gripped my stomach with both hands. “Ouch,” I yelped. A shooting pain spread down my tummy. Growing up with hip issues, I was used to pain, but this was like nothing I’d experienced before. I better lie down, I thought. It was 2021, and aged 24, I was the only one of my siblings still living with my dad, Brian. He was working late, and my sister and brother lived interstate; I didn’t want to make a fuss by asking them for help. Taking painkillers, I attempted to sleep it off, but by midnight the pain was unbearable. Googling my symptoms, I thought I might have kidney stones, so I drove…